GS1000S paint work started

[1980GS1000E]

I would agree with your guy if it were a metallic color. Your base coat is going to be black, so I would think it would be alright to sand it smooth with 600 before applying the decals and then the clear. Make sure you put enough black on to be able to sand it smooth. 3-4 good coats should be enough. Putting decals on an un-sanded surface sometimes shows the orange peel or small bits of dirt through the decals and then there's no way to cover it up, visually. When you're sanding the base coat, I would stay away from the edges. You want a pretty good buildup of color around those before clear coating. I'm not familiar with the brand of clear you're talking about. I've always used PPG products exclusively. PPG does make a slightly less expensive brand called Omni that works pretty well, kind of a "Acura-Honda" thing, but I've found that the best paint jobs come easier from the best materials. There are other quality brands besides PPG, but it's what I'm familiar with, and it works well. I just bite the bullet, pay the price, and know that it's gonna be better in the long run.

The recommended steps were to spray the black then clear. Then apply the stickers to that and then another clear coat to bury the stickers.

[1980GS1000E]

Parts are finally primed and ready..

After fixing the dents with the finishing glaze and sanding (and forgetting to take pics), I have primed and sanded the tank and other parts. I will be shooting the black and first clear tom'w, then I have to wait a week or so to apply the stickers. Then some more clear.








I think I did a pretty good job as far as the dings go. I only hope that the painting goes ok.

[nvr2old]

Lookin' good. I think I would block sand your primer a bit more, though. In the pics, it looks like I can still see some sand scratches, especially on the front. It looks like it's been sprayed with a guide coat, which is good, but it all needs to go away completely before spraying the black which will make those tiny scratches really stand out if you don't. Even if you can't feel them, you can see them. You've brought it a long way. Don't worry about the week or so in between clear coats. Just make sure you "open it up" with 600 the day after you spray the first clear coats. It needs to dry from the inside out, so that'll help immensly for when it comes time to spray more. Get all the shiney sanded off before you apply the decals and re-clear, or there's a chance the next layer of clear will not adhere to the last ones.

[1980GS1000E]

Thanks for the tip. I will get to sanding right away.

[Rkt-Rch]

Remember (2) water seprators in line with the paint process, How about a little pearl (whatever color works) mixed in !! I just love to put in pearl in the clear coat, when the sun hits it just right it gives it that whoa what the %@% is that and then whomever walks up to it and really admires all that hard work. I agree on the primer coat, ALL the sanding scratches MUST be Smmmoootth and gone. I did a fender for a bike and painted it black, spent alot of time preping (I thought) and after it was done if I looked real close I saw my shortcuts..

[1980GS1000E]

Got the water separators. At issue is the cfm of the compressor. It will put out about 7-8 and I think this HVLP gun needs more. Practiced some clearcoat tonight on a scratch piece and droplets are too big. Need more air.

[debrartin]

I have doing motorbike painting since 2012. And I use airbrush for painting. Sometimes also do car and other painting job. To do airbrushing Iwata is my first choice also has a badger airbrush. I always picked airbrush and compressor and other accessories from this source. I have painted 10+ bikes and parts past month. Here are some of painted works……………

[nvr2old]

This thread was my introduction to this forum, too. Good luck.